At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team and gain hands-on experience in accountancy and tax.
- Company: PEM, Cambridge's largest accountancy firm, values fairness and respect.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, professional training, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Diverse opportunities across various sectors with a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Launch your career with real impact and mentorship from industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Open to school leavers, university graduates, and those eager to learn.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
PEM is a place where promises matter and fairness, respect and accountability are valued, encouraged and recognised. This emphasis on creating a positive culture where people can thrive is key to our success in attracting and retaining talented employees. Based in central Cambridge, we are the largest firm of accountants, tax and business advisers in the city. What you want from your career is put front and centre of working at PEM, and with professional training and modern mentoring, we help you reach your goals.
Life at PEM isn’t all about work, and whilst we expect you to put in your all, we ensure a good work/life balance can be enjoyed by everyone. Our short decision-making chains and open communication allow people to connect at all levels which has instilled a real sense of trust and belonging across the team. We’ve moved away from conventional business practices, giving staff the freedom to choose their working hours and dress code.
Your future, our focus is a promise we make with our employees from day one of their role with us. This is because we believe that when you’re making early decisions about your career, promises matter.
At PEM, we invest in those who show early promise and drive, offering unparalleled support and development for all our new recruits through our Early Careers Programme. There are many ways you can embark on a professional journey in accountancy with PEM. Our firm provides exceptional opportunities for work experience, school leavers, industrial placements and university graduates.
- Work Experience: An opportunity for students to gain firsthand exposure to the accountancy or tax profession and develop understanding of the day-to-day operations within our firm.
- School Leaver: Direct entry to become a qualified accountant or tax adviser with tailored training and support.
- Industrial Placement: A unique opportunity to gain valuable experience before you complete your studies. You’ll spend a year working with us, developing your skills and understanding of the industry.
- University Graduate: A structured pathway to becoming a qualified accountant or tax adviser.
At PEM, we are excited to help you launch your career in accountancy or tax. Our commitment to training and development, coupled with a supportive and dynamic work environment, makes us the ideal place to start your professional journey.
Our 2026 vacancies are now live and accepting applications. Send your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications to recruitment@pem.co.uk. A member of our talent team will review your application and assess your suitability for the role. If selected, you will be invited for an initial call with our talent team where you can discuss your skills and experiences in more detail and crucially why you would like to join PEM’s programme. If successful, you will be asked to complete a number of short skills tests to evaluate your numerical, written reasoning and attention to detail skills. Candidates will have a final interview with team managers to discuss the role and your potential fit within the team. If selected, you will receive a formal offer, and we will guide you through the onboarding process to get you started on your exciting journey with PEM.
Why join us?
- Training & development: Gain your professional qualifications and hands-on experience through our accredited programmes.
- Career growth: Benefit from structured pathways and mentorship to advance your career within our firm.
- Diverse opportunities: Explore roles in Audit, Accounting, Tax, Corporate Finance and our Virtual Finance Office to find your passion.
- Social opportunities: Engage in social activities and events that foster a sense of community and work-life balance, making PEM not just a workplace, but a place for you to build lasting relationships.
We understand that early career professionals value diversity, flexibility, and purpose in their careers. At PEM, we prioritise diversity, equality, inclusion, and our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance. Our supportive and dynamic environment ensures that your work is meaningful and impactful.
Early Careers opportunities
- Trainee Accountant (Graduate) – Audit – January 2027: Launch your career as a Trainee Accountant at PEM, Cambridge’s largest accountancy firm. As part of our thriving Audit team, you’ll make an immediate impact working on real client projects, tackling business challenges, and seeing your ideas valued from day one. Our early years programme empowers you to learn alongside industry leaders and experienced mentors, gaining hands-on experience and expert guidance as you work toward becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. We provide full exam support and tailor your development to help you thrive.
- Trainee Accountant (School Leaver) – Audit – January 2027: Launch your career as a Trainee Accountant at PEM, Cambridge’s largest accountancy firm. As part of our thriving Audit team, you’ll make an immediate impact working on real client projects, tackling business challenges, and seeing your ideas valued from day one. Our early years programme empowers you to learn alongside industry leaders and experienced mentors, gaining hands-on experience and expert guidance as you work toward becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. We provide full exam support and tailor your development to help you thrive.
Audit & Accounts positions
- Audit Manager – Charities & Non-profit: Are you passionate about making a difference and looking for a challenging yet rewarding role? We’re seeking an Audit Manager to join our dedicated team specialising in charities and not for profit. As an Audit Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to manage a diverse portfolio of clients with turnovers typically from 1 million up to 20 million. You’ll lead audits from planning to completion, working closely with senior managers and trustees. Our team provides specialist audit and business advisory services to more than 250 charities and non-profits in the UK. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the sector.
- Assistant Manager – Charities & Non-profit: Are you ready to take your career to the next level with a leading firm? We are seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Manager to provide efficient support and assistance to partners and managers. This role ensures deadlines are met, technical work is executed according to firm procedures, and the highest standard of client care is maintained. You will be responsible for completing audit and accounting assignments for our Not-for-Profit client base, adhering to PEM’s technical standards and procedures.
- Assistant Manager – Audit: Are you an experienced audit professional ready to take the next step in your career? We are seeking an Assistant Manager in Audit to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will support partners and managers, lead audit fieldwork for key assignments, and ensure the highest standards of client care and technical excellence are maintained.
- Share Scheme Tax Manager – Employment Tax: We are seeking a tax professional to join our dynamic team as a Share Scheme Tax Manager. In this role, you’ll work closely with clients, HMRC, and internal teams, providing expert advice on employee share incentives and employment tax matters. From designing innovative share plan structures to managing compliance and valuations, you’ll be at the forefront of delivering high-quality solutions that truly make a difference.
Private Clients positions
- Assistant Director – Private Clients: Are you ready to take a leading role in advising high net worth individuals and their families? We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Director to join our respected Private Clients team. Join a prestigious firm where your expertise will be used to provide sophisticated tax solutions for high-net-worth individuals and their families.
- Tax Manager (Advisory) – Private Clients: Are you ready to take the next step in your tax career with a firm that values innovation, client care, and professional excellence? Join a thriving and forward-thinking firm as a Private Client Tax Manager, with a focus on assisting with the provision of tax advisory projects for high-net-worth clients.
- Trust Manager – Private Clients: Are you an experienced trust and estate practitioner looking for a new challenge? Join our existing trust team as a Trust Manager and work alongside our wider Private Client Team to achieve our firm’s strategic goals.
- Assistant Manager – VAT: We are seeking a professionally qualified and experienced Assistant Manager to join our highly experienced specialist VAT team in Cambridge.
Bookkeeper – Virtual Finance Office (VFO): Join PEM’s Virtual Finance Office (VFO), a dynamic team of 38 delivering innovative, cloud-based services including bookkeeping, management reporting, credit control and wider finance support to a diverse client base.
Accountant (Part or fully qualified) – Virtual Finance Office (VFO): We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded finance professional who enjoys building trusted client relationships, leading service delivery, and making a real difference to growing businesses.
Administrator / Receptionist: We’re looking for an Administrator / Receptionist to join our Milton office in a varied, hands-on role supporting colleagues and delivering a professional, welcoming experience for our clients.
Our values
- Authenticity: Strong businesses are built on trust. Which is why openness, honesty and integrity are at our core.
- Clarity: In a complex world, our clients rely on us for guidance and support.
- Connection: We know the importance of great relationships founded on respect.
The Equality Pledge: At PEM we want employees to be able to bring their whole selves to work, feel supported, and that they have equal opportunities to progress.
Hear from our team: "I like that the company is big enough to offer variety and structure to its trainee programs, but also small enough to feel personal. This ‘best of both worlds’ approach has been perfect for me so far - I’ve already learnt so much both in the office and at college.” Rachel Blunt, Manager.
Explore our available job opportunities employer: Peters Elworthy & Moore
PEM is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for the Charity Audit Manager to make a significant impact within the not-for-profit sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, team members benefit from hybrid working arrangements, competitive salaries, and the chance to lead high-performing teams while fostering trusted relationships with charity leaders. Join us in Cambridge, where your contributions will directly enhance community welfare and drive meaningful change.